Influences of leadership, organizational culture, and hierarchy on raising concerns about patient deterioration: a qualitative study.
Traditional organizational hierarchies can prevent staff and patients from speaking up about safety concerns. In this study, patients and providers describe ways organizational leadership can support efforts to flatten professional hierarchies and encourage open communication. Enablers include collaborative leadership, education, support, feedback, and learning. Overlaying all themes is the importance of psychological safety where staff feel their concerns will be heard and considered openly.